The Australian Cast Recording
The Australian cast recording of CATS is a CATS soundtrack that combines
elements from both the London and Broadway cast recordings. Like the London
soundtrack it features actors who give crisp performances (according to some US
people), while at the same time it features the Broadway orchestrations that are
better than the London, but are performed in the same way as those on the London
soundtrack. There is nothing special about this recording, but there are a few
notable points. Jeff Philips' Rum Tum Tugger sounds a little bit like Elton
John, and it is a little bit underpowered. Terrence Mann is better. David Atkins
is a not-so-good Mistoffelees, without the innocence of Timothy Scott. Grant
Smith of course is fabulous in the triple-role of Stephen Hanan, but the latter
is always more characteristic and more melancholy. Debbie Byrne seems not to
have enough feeling when she sings "Memory." All she does is belt out her songs
without feeling anything. Marina Prior, of course, is an excellent Jellylorum,
but Bonnie Simmons is sweeter and more suitable for that part. Gary
Ginvan and Laura Bishop as Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer are an excelltn and
"notorious couple of cats" who sing well in the manner of Drew Varley and Jo
Gibb. "Macavity" is not really sung with feeling and verve. To sum everything
up, this recording is a sort of average recording of the show, with nothing
really special save the inclusion of the long-neglected Pekes and the Pollicles
song. I would only recommend this to the afficionado, and my primary
recommendation for CATS lies with the Broadway soundtrack.
The Australian cast recording is available in its complete version only.
EMI CDP 7461922.
by Yi-Peng